Closure means for a transformer casing



Jan. 22, 1935. J, R. GASTON CLOSURE MEANS FOR A TRANSFORMER CASING Filed Nov. 5, 1932 INVENTOR JOH QJ RGA STON ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 22, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CLOSURE MEANS FOR A TRANSFORMER CASING John B, Gaston, East Orange, N. J'., assignor to American Transformer Company, Newark,

This invention relates to an improvement in means for fastening a cover to the casing of an electrical transformer;

In order to assist in keeping the weight of the entire transformer, including the transformer per se and its casing, to a minimum, the cover should be made as light as possible. It has been the usual practice in the past to provide a cover for a transformer casing which extends a distance beyond the top of the casing, and to fasten this cover to the casing by a bolt and wing-nut arrangement which, it is seen, applies pressure to the cover some distance from the edge of the casing, and if the cover is made light, it will be sprung at the edge of the casing by this method of fastening, and will allow the oil which is used to fill the casing over the transformer to slop out during transportation and handling. Also, it gives a chance for moisture to seep into the casing. If the cover is made sufficiently heavy to withstand these strains, then it materially increases the weight of the transformer.

It is therefore the principal object of my invention to provide a relatively light-weight cover and an improved means of holding it to the casing so as to avoid the objectionable features heretofore mentioned.

My invention will be readily understood by reference to the annexed drawing wherein:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary view of a part of a transformer, showing one of the fastening devices in position.

Figure 2 is a view on the line 2--2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view on a reduced scale of the transformer, showing my invention applied thereto.

Figure 4 is a top plan view of Figure 3.

The metal casing 1 of the transformer has a plurality of lugs each composed of two side pieces 2 and 3 and a cross-piece 4 fastened thereto in any satisfactory manner as by welding at 5. The side pieces 2 and 3 support a pivot pin 6 held in place in any satisfactory manner as by washers 7 and cotter pins 8. Loosely mounted on the pivot pin 6, is an eye-bolt 9 on the threads of which is carried an adjusting nut 10. The nut 10 also receives a bolt 11 having a bent-over portion or finger 12 adapted to engage a smooth seat 13 near the edge of the cover 14. The bent-over portion 12 is half a circle, so that the seat 13 lies substantially on the diameter thereof, whereby the line pressure at this seat will be parallel with the pull on bolt 11.

The cover 14 is preferaby provided with a pair of annular downwardly extending flanges 15 and.

16 which embrace the edges of the casing l, and

a portion between the flanges 15 and 16 engages a gasket 17 carried by the upper edge of the casing 1 which is preferably re-enforced by ring 18 so as to stiffen the edge of the casing and 5 provide a seat of considerable area for the gasket 17. The threads on the bolts 9 and 11 are right and left-hand to form, with the nut,

a turnbuckle so that when the nut 10 is turned in one direction, it will draw thebolt 1' 1 dawnto ward to clamp the cover 14 in position on the casing, and when turned in the opposite direction, the bolt 11 will be loosened so it may be removed and the cover taken off the casing.

By utilizing the construction described, the bolts 9 and 11 are self-aligning, whereby a perfect seat at the point 13 can be obtained and the strain will be applied evenly to the cover seat, and the strain on the threads of the bolts will also be uniform, and the pressure applied to the cover will be directly over the edge of the casing so that the gasket 1'7 is forced evenly on to its seat and the cover will not be sprung or bent at the edge of the cover, as in prior art devices with which I am familiar.

The parts of the lug previously described, while acting as a support for the pivot pin 6,.also serve as a lifting lug to lift the transformer, as it will be seen that the pieces 2 and 3, being welded to the casing, and also the opposite ends to the member 4, act as braces for the member 4 which is adapted to be engaged by the lifting hooks or other devices.

While the above description has been generally directed to one of the lugs and its associated tumbuckle bolt, it applies, of course, to all of those used, the number being according to the size of and character of service to which the transformer is applied.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. Means for fastening a cover to a transformer casing including, a lug on the side of the casing, a pivot pin carried by the lug, a bolt loosely mounted on the pivot pin and having its free end threaded, another bolt having one end threaded in opposite direction to the threads on the firstmentioned bolt, the opposite end of the secondmentioned bolt being curved over so as to engage the cover approximately in line with the edge of the casing, and an adiusting nut connecting the threaded ends of said bolts.

2. Means for fastening a cover to a transformer casing as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that the curved part of the second-mentioned bolt casing including, a cover having an annular flange extending downwardly over and around the rim of the casing, said rim providing a seat for a gasket, a gasket positioned on saidseat and engaged by the cover immediately adjacent saidflange, a lug on the casing, a turn-buckle type of bolt loosely pivoted to said lug and having its free end turned over so its extremity has a full area engagement with the cover substantially in line with the rim of the casing.

5. Means for closing the end of a transformer casing includingacover having a pair of annular downwardly extending flanges for encircling and embracing the rim of the casing, a gasket positioned between said'fianges, cover and rim, a lug on the casing, a turn-buckle type of bolt loosely pivotedito said lug; and having its'free end turned over so its extremity has afull area engagement'with thecover substantially in line with the rim'of the casing.

6. Means for closing the end of a transformer casing including a cover having at least a plurality of small flat surfaces near the edge of the cover, a gasket having a seat on the rim of the casing under the cover, lugs on the casing, a turnbuckle bolt loosely pivoted to each lug and each having its end bent over the cover and terminating in a flat surface to engage said cooperating fiat surface on the cover, substantially in line with the rim of the casing.

7. Means for closing the end of a transformer casing including a cover having at least a plurality of small fiat surfaces near the edge of the cover, a gasket having a seat on the rim of the casing under the cover, a ring for reenforcing said rim and also serving to enlarge the gasket seat at the rim, lugs on the casing, a turn-buckle bolt loosely pivoted to each lug and each having its endbent over the cover and engaging the cover surface in a line substantially parallel with the axis of the turn-buckle bolt, and substantially in line with the rim'of the casing 8. A closure for a transformer casing, including a cover having'a reinforced periphery, which engages on its underneath surface the wall ofzsaid casing, a gasket between saidengaging parts and means connected to the casing and impinging on the cover in a vertical line through the wall of the casing and the gasket. g

JOHN R. GASTON. 

